“… as lawmakers express anger, says AEDC action is encouraging insecurity, unemployment, hardship and poverty in the state…”

Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has summoned the Area Manager, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to appear before the House on Tuesday 30th April, 2024 over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.

The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), Yakubu Suleiman to appear before the House on April 30th, 2024.

This, the House said, the invitation extended to them was to enable them tell the House why is that there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.

Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House gave the summon after Hon Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central) raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings today in Lafia.

The Speaker said that the House wants to know why there is epileptic power supply and over billing to customers across the state.

” As this is affecting the lives of our people and their businesses negatively across the State

” As many people could not afford paying light bill again and even those that can paid hardly enjoy the electricity” why? he said.

The Speaker said that the constitution has empowered the House to invite anybody operating in the state for questioning on matters of public importance.

The Speaker commended Hon Akwashiki for bringing the matter and other members for their positive contributions on the issue.

Speaker Jatau commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in ensuring that the people of the state have constant power supply, lamenting on how some people are sabotaging the Governor’s efforts.

Earlier, Hon Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, Member representing Lafia Central constituency while raising the issue, said that the activities of AEDC is not encouraging at all and has affected business activities in the State.

” Mr Speaker and Hon members, security and welfare of the people is the primary responsibility of the government

” This matter has to do with the lives of our people and their businesses

” The problem and the issue of non constant supply of power by AEDC, lack of light, meters and maintenance of electricity by AEDC is now the order of the day, provoking anger everywhere

” For example, if you go to Rice mill and other places in my constituency, they hardly get light for two hours in 24 hours of the day and if the light develop fault, AEDC don’t repair or provide cables, all they do is collecting money” he said.

Hon Akwashiki called on his colleagues to support his motion to enable the House invite the management of AEDC to explain why they are shortchanging the people of his constituency and the State at large.

” People are paying for light without getting the light why? Why is AEDC not providing cables and transformers when they developed fault but only borders on collection of money giving out bills, why” he asked.

It would be reported that all members, who contributed Hon. Dezaho, Hon. Esson, Hon. Zhekaba, Hon. Hudu, Rt. Hon. Oyanki, Hon. Sa’ad, Hon. Kudu, Hon. Ekye, Hon. Isimbabi and Hon. Larry lamented on the total blackout and over billing by AEDC supporting the need for the House to summon the management of AEDC and NAePA to appear before it for explanation.

They said that the activities of AEDC is not encouraging business activities in the state which in turn is promoting insecurity, unemployment, hardship and poverty in the state.

They described what is happening as high level of corruption that must be checked stressing that with Akurba power plant the State especially the capital city Lafia has know any justification not to have stable light.